Good 100

Took the quiz, hurt my eyes, made it through all 100. I read the list of doers first and decided I was a "cosmic troubadour" but the quiz had me pegged as the "dark Knight", thanks for the complement but I also read Dark knight and that didn't seem like me as much if any. Maybe I didn't understand some of the questions or maybe I wasn't tuned with the 1-10 scale. Interesting.

daily notes

Today in class we received our fifth project assignment. "political/ cause posters" should be fun, I like graphic design and I want to learn more about prints before next semester so I should enjoy this one. Once again the hardest part about any of these assignments is getting started. I have some ideas bouncing around in my head but nothing really standing out yet. The whole time in class we were ansewering questions about what we don't like and all I could think of was Tarheel Fans, can't stand em'. but its not political or a public cause so I'll try to think of something that pisses me off  about the government, LOBBYIST piss me off, maybe Ill go for that one . Good luck to all.

"Fantasy" project citique

On Wednesday we had our class presentations for our fourth project with the theme of "Fantasy". Needless to say this was a rare day in class. At first I was nervous before I arrived but as soon as you enter the room and see everyone else you realize that everyone is dressed crazy and people aren't going to be staring at just you. When everyone is dressed crazy then all of a sudden the crazy one is the person is isn't dressed up, that would be our professor, shame on you. I was dressed as a samurai warrior in balloon armor. With the requirements being noise and movement also I immediately jumped to the balloon idea because I thought of  "cos-play". I've never participated in "cos-play" so I wanted to give it a try, that's how I arrived at my costume. Before we started we had to have our picture taken photo shoot style. The music helped the situation but I think that was the most nerve racking part to most in the class because you were out there on your own for that one. My group went first in the presentations and there was a ninja with me and we began sword fighting, all the while I was popping balloons to simulate a hit. The minute crept by but we made it successfully. As for the rest of the groups, I believe our group set a fight or aggressive tone because what followed was much of the same. The last group broke from the aggressive mood and put on a more mellow performance which was welcome by then. I liked a lot of the outfits and performances. Some that stood out to me were Ryan's, (he had a light saber and camouflage which reminded me of "return of the Jedi" and he didn't fight with the sword, which is most peoples first instinct, instead made a sort of light ballet, cool). Another was Sara's outfit which looked like she was being blown in the wind, very creative. Randall's "hawk/superhero" outfit took a lot of heat of of my silly outfit, cool and thanks. Overall I feel it was a success and turned out to be one of the funnest classes we've had all year, which I did not expect  leading up to it. Thank you and good job to all.

Daily Notes

Today in class was very interesting. First we did movement exercises such as stretching, moving wildly across the room, and an embarrassing improv exercise. Basically I had to walk around the room and act like a soda machine dispensing sodas to the male students, crazy stuff. It will get everyone prepared for the presentation wed. which will definitely be a sight to see and hear. We then took a stroll to the galleries which I do enjoy. First the painting exibit in rowe. Lots of talented people in there, I liked the "latin dancer", "the asian themed 4 panel piece", and the "booty", who wouldn't. Then to the Storrs building we went and saw the arcitecture exibit from their trip to China. I wanted to climb the ladder in the middle but I was not sure I should, maybe next time. Busy day for all, till next time.

Mint Museum Trip

I went to the Mint Museum on Friday afternoon, I've never been to the Randolph rd location. I've been ton the uptown Mint several times so needless to say the new venue was welcome. Our assignment was to view the ceremonial mask and garments of Africa and Mexico. I wasn't excited about the clothes that much butt when I entered the mask room I was amazed at the craftsmanship of these mask. I know these mask are spiritual and ceremonial to their creators but I can see how it relates to our "fantasy" theme. To an american who does not believe in the ceremonies of ancient or foreign cultures it hits on our fantasy side because that is how mask are portrayed to us. I can imagine a lot of people dressed in these mask, but I visualize them I've studied the African Komo mask and their spiritual powers in previous classes, but I've never seen one up close. They were very cool and very exotic. Once again many ideas for our project came pouring in. Just putting on one of these mask can change ones whole attitude and character. The mask gives us freedom to do as we would like because no one can see your physical expressions or read your eyes. To me fantasy starts with freedom and there is no freedom like a mask. I now understand how this trip relates to our current project of "Fantasy". Thank you.Download

Lorna Simpson

I viewed Lorna Simpson's work and read about her in Launching the imagination. Her black and white photos are balanced well. Very clean work, I don't understand a lot of it, could be subject matter. As far as fantasy goes, I did see a piece that I thought was very cool, The picture of the cloud of smoke in the room by itself was cool. It speaks highly of fantasy. A single cloud, indoors for that matter.

Jeff Koons

I've seen Koon's work before and I am a fan. I love the balloon art he does, the painting and finish on them is perfect. One would think the pieces would be light but made out of metal tricks the senses. I like the color he uses in all of his works, very brilliant hues that attract the eye. His balloon work inspires me to do a balloon suit for my project on fantasy. I think it would be cool to have a team of people helping me also, could get a lot more projects knocked out and finally out of the head. He had a very clean studio and did quite a bit of math involved in his works also. Even though I'm a fan I still think he might be extremely anal and completely in love with himself.

daily post

First day back after fall break, trying to get my head back in the game. We got our 4th project Wednesday and the subject is fantasy, which is cool but the media scares me once again. We are to present our theme of fantasy in clothing, movement and sound. Not much of a sewer but I've been thinking of a balloon suit. It will definitely make some noise. I was also thinking of a "lord of bones" type outfit from "game of thrones", a tv show i watch, clanking bones will make noise and GOT is one of my favorite fantasy novels. I don't know yet, we'll see.

project reflection

Today in class we viewed our classmates projects. I saw a lot of great photos and everyone did a great job, but I did have some favorites. The first I really liked was the "fungus" series. I thought it was a great idea to photograph mushrooms and other fungi. Honestly, if I had thought of it I would have done that one. Spending time in Colorado I found that mushrooms are colorful and the textures vary which can make for a great photo series. I really enjoyed the "road kill" series because it was the most humorous of the day, not a fan of gore but he thought out of the box on this one so it was cool. I also liked the "trash with words" piece because it started off humorous but took a serious turn half way through when the words stopped and the pictures spoke for themselves, good way to grab peoples attention  and let people see the truth. Like I said, overall the presentations were very good and I thought it was a successful day. Thank you

Reading assignment

I read an "artistic self" for the reading assignment this week. It seems to me that both the artist sort of grew into the artist they are today. Shirin Neshat picked up a camera not to be a famous artist but to try and make sense of the way women were being treated in Iran and other middle eastern countries. Her shots have a political message usually and her success was unexpected. Nan Goldin's camera seems to be her therapist, partner and friend. She documents and chronicles her daily life and the camera is her release and helps her ex[plain the world to herself if not others. I have to admit that these are not exactly my favorite artist. I've studied Neshat's work before, I'm not a fan of political work usually and Goldin's pics while being well taken, just don't draw me in.